Died: Bill Bergan, 80
On November 21. In his tenure with Iowa State from 1971-95, he coached the Cyclones to 2 NCAA cross country titles and 28 Big 8 crowns. In ’06 he was named to the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame.
Died: Nathanaël Esprit, 44
On November 08, in Curaçao; of a heart attack. The sprinter from the Netherlands Antilles placed 5th in the ’99 NCAA 100 final for Texas.
Died: Wilson Kiprugut, 84
On November 01, in Kericho, Kenya, after a long illness. The first Kenyan to win an Olympic medal, he scored the 800 bronze in the ’64 Games ’800. In ’68 he ran a PR 1:44.57 to win silver in Mexico City. He World Ranked 5 times, with No. 2s in ’65 & ’68.
Died: Michael Möllenbeck, 52
On November 02, in Frankfurt, Germany; after a long illness. He twice won discus bronze at the World Championships (’01 & ’05). The 3-time Olympian (high of 10th in ’00) World Ranked 7 times from 1996-2005, with his highest position No. 4 in ’02.
Died: Sig Ohlemann, 84
On November 05, in Eugene, Oregon. A 3-time All-America for Oregon in the NCAA 800, he was runner-up in the ’61 edition. He won bronze at the ’63 Pan-Am Games. He was Canada’s flagbearer at the ’60 Olympics Closing Ceremony. He had run in the 800 and both relays.
Died: James Redd, 70
On November 14, in Cullen, Virginia. The San Diego State star was ranked No. 8 among Americans in the 400 in ’73. He placed 5th in the AAU meet that year, after a 4th in ’72.
Died: Ted Wheeler, 91
On November 17, in Iowa City, Iowa. The Iowa middle distance star placed 5th in the NCAA 800 in ’52. After serving in the Army, he returned and added a 5th in the 1500 in ’56. He was also the OT runner-up but didn’t advance out of the heats in Melbourne. He later coached at Iowa for 24 years. Member of the Black American Hall Of Fame.
Died: George Young, 85
On November 08, in Casa Grande, Arizona. The 4-time Olympian (’60, ’64, ’68, ’72) won a bronze in the Mexico City steeplechase. Runner-up in the AAU his senior year at Arizona in ’59 he went on to win the national title 3 times, plus 3M and marathon titles, and two 3M crowns indoors. Along the way, he broke American Records in the steeple (3 times), 2M and 5000, and set an indoor WR in the 3M. Selected for the USATF Hall Of Fame in ’81. He coached at Central Arizona for 25 years. ◻︎